Cartoon Network goes face to face for this year’s Upfront

January 28, 2013 by Wendy Goldman Getzler

Cartoon Network is forgoing tradition and taking its Kids Upfront presentation on the road with an all-new tour that sees network, ad sales, marketing and programming execs visit clients and promotional partners in more than 15 US cities from now until March. Revealed at the presentations are a slate of new productions and multiple returning series for the 2013 and early 2014 season.

Among the announcements is news that Cartoon Network Studios will produce three new original animated comedy series—Steven Universe, Uncle Grandpa and Clarence—each developed from its shorts program. Also from Cartoon Network Studios are two new original animated specials based on Adventure Time and Regular Show. A redesigned and re-imagined CG-animated special, The Powerpuff Girls (which also includes an original song performed by Ringo Starr), will premiere later this year.

Cartoon Network will introduce two new action-adventure half-hour series based on heroes from DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, Teen Titans Go! and Beware The Batman; a new animated series from LEGO, Legends of Chima; a new animated musical-comedy series, Grojband, from FremantleMedia; an all-new series iteration of The Tom and Jerry Show, produced by Warner Bros. Animation; a new season of the animated Total Drama “reality” series from CAKE Distribution, Total Drama All Stars; and also from LEGO, three quarterly installment specials of The Yoda Chronicles, a new CG-animated foray into the “Original Saga” world of Star Wars.

Returning series and specials include Adventure Time, Regular Show, MAD, Annoying Orange,  The Amazing World of Gumball, The Looney Tunes Show, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Inc., Johnny Test. DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk, Ben 10 Omniverse, Pokémon Black & White: Adventures in Unova, Beyblade Metal Fury, Almost Naked Animals and Scaredy Squirrel.

In addition, the network announced that its shorts program will continue at Cartoon Network Studios, producing a new slate of original shorts in 2013 via its dedicated production unit.

Tags: advertising, Cartoon Network, upfront